The Confederate Flag as a Cultural Artifact

The confederate flag as a cultural artifact

Michelle Pratt

American Intercontinental University

Having lived in South Carolina for some time now, there have many issues come that involve the Confederate Flag. This is a very controversial cultural artifact, in that it represents a hard time in this country's history the civil war. This flag is considered by some to be the emblem of evil often compared to Hitler's swastika, and to yet others who grew up in the south, they associate it as a symbol of the south and their cause in the war. There were many southerners who did not own slaves who fought in the war and they fought for what they believed in (Shen, 1994).

There are actually 5 versions of the confederate although the one most commonly recognized is the actually the battle flag of the army of northern Virginia, often called the rebel flag. To some people this flag represents the evil of slavery, racism and bigotry. Some hate groups such as the KKK have taken this flag as their symbol. Some groups such as civil rights activists, African-Americans, and most northerners this will never be an acceptable symbol to use for anything. Still others see the flag as a symbol of their forefathers who gave their lives in battle to fight for what they believed in. Many still see the flag as representing their proud, distinctive heritage and the gentility of the old south (Sarratt, n.d). Another group that has a very strong opinion on this flag is the African-Americans. They may see the flag as a symbol of their racist past, slavery, servitude, and second class citizenship. They may not see the flag as a symbol of glory, or bravery in battle. They were repressed and had no rights, and may not think fondly of what it represents.

This artifact relates to old southern charm and to those who fought in the civil war. In South Carolina there is still plenty of southern charm and this goes back to the days before the war when children would call ladies ma'am and men would be sir, people would sit on big porches and drinking sweet tea. This brings up images curtsies and bows, gentlemen and ladies; it makes you think of scenes from "Gone with the wind". All of these traits of courtesy and southern charm are handed down to the children. There are also the rebels, these are southerners who consider the flag a representation of their right to rebel and stand for what they believe (Sarratt, n.d). There is a sense of pride that is handed down from one generation to the next this southern pride that our forefathers fought a war for what they believe and even in defeat they should still be honored as they were part of the history of this great country.

The first confederate flag was called the "stars and bars" and was flown for about 3 years. From there the confederate flag was changed several times to accommodate addition stars for states that had joined confederacy, the most recognizable one is still the rebel flag (civilwar.com, n.d). One main controversy is the displaying of the flag. In South Carolina the confederate flag used to fly over the state house, the flag was originally placed there in 1962. On July 1 2000 it was removed and it has since been moved to a memorial located in front of the state house. In 2005 two western Carolina university researchers took a poll and 74% of African Americans would like the flag moved completely off the property (civilwar.com, n.d). The flying of this flag may cause many to feel uncomfortable just because of the negative connotations associated with the flag. But there are those that still fly the flag with pride. Their reasons are more closely related to a more personal feeling of kinship with their ancestors who fought in the civil war and despite their loss still are very proud of their heritage. The cultural heritage of the flag where African Americans are concerned is a different story. It may represent a deep resentment to the culture because of Jim Crowe laws that were enacted after the war. This was also a time of racial segregation as well as a time when some extreme groups took the flag as their symbol such as the KKK (civilwar.com, n.d).

This cultural artifact has become ingrained into our countries culture whether some people like it or not. There is a lot of merchandise that is associated with the rebel flag. You can find t-shirts, coffee mugs, posters, hats, belt buckles or just about anything you would like (1ABCstore, n.d).